Ginger is a spice from southern Asia, that has many health-giving
specific components. (52) Gingerol is the chief of these; it is a
phenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor
properties. (53) Gingerol suppresses inflammation by blocking the
movement of NF-kB into the nucleus, with the resulting down-regulation
of such inflammatory cytokines as TNF-alpha, as well as inducible nitric
oxide synthase (iNOS). (52), (53) Another major ginger compound,
zerumbone, suppresses NF-kB activation induced by a host of common
carcinogens, blocking metastasis and invasion while increasing
apoptosis. (54)

Ginger extracts have been used to reduce the viability of gastric
cancer cells, ovarian cancers, cancers of the breast, liver, colon, and
lung, as well as UV light-induced skin cancers. (55-60)

Green Tea

Green tea extracts are widely known for their benefits in
preventing many common chronic diseases. Their chief constituents, the
catechin family of polyphenols, are powerful antioxidants that are given
credit for most of tea's beneficial effects. (61), (62) Catechins
act at many different targets. (18), (63), (64) Inhibition of NF-kB by
green tea catechins has recently been found to be a major mechanism by
which they block each stage of carcinogenesis. (63-65)

NF-kB inhibition by green tea extracts rich in epigallocatechin
gallate (EGCG) has been of particular interest. (866) EGCG has been
shown to produce apoptosis in experimental prostate cancer, inhibit
growth of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck, inhibit
production and limit invasion of experimentally induced breast cancers,
reduce the incidence of carcinogen-induced lung cancers, and sensitize
melanoma cells to growth inhibition by other agents. (67-71)

Isoflavones

Isoflavones and isoflavonoids are molecules found in many plants,
particularly the bean family. Plants use them as disease-fighting
compounds, and also as stimulants for the symbiotic bacteria that help
them use nitrogen to build proteins. Isoflavones from soybeans have many
beneficial and protective effects in humans as well. The low rate of
hormone-related cancers (e.g., breast and prostate cancers) in Asian
countries is partially attributed to the high consumption of soy
isoflavones in most traditional Asian diets. (72), (73)

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Soy isoflavones like genistein are powerful modulators of NF-kB.
(73) Genistein acts both by preventing NF-kB's movement into the
nucleus to activate inflammatory genes and also by preventing earlier
molecular events that would lead to its activation.(74) Genistein
promotes cancer cell death by apoptosis as a result of down-regulation
of NF-kB. (74)

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids from fish are associated with
reduced risk of several types of cancer and other chronic conditions.
(79), (80) The omega-3s are known to be powerful anti-inflammatory
agents through their effects on the important inflammatory enzymes like
COX-2 and 5-LOX.(81) But recent research is also showing that omega-3s
can inhibit NF-kB activation by multiple mechanisms, giving them still
more powerful control over the inflammation that can lead to cancers.

Omega-3s are now associated with NF-kB-related reduction in
inflammation-mediated growth of pancreatic, breast, prostate, colon, and
skin cancer cells. (82-90) In the case of pancreatic cancer, the omega-3
EPA preserved the integrity of the natural inhibitor of NF-kB. (82)
Omega-3s used in combination with conventional chemotherapy act
synergistically to kill tumor cells, largely through NF-kB inhibition
that promotes apoptosis. (89), (91)

SUMMARY

A breakthrough study published late last year revealed that
inflammation is necessary in order for breast cancer cells to
proliferate and metastasize. The master control complex called nuclear
factor-kappaB or NF-kB triggers and regulates this inflammatory cascade,
which has been implicated in the onset and development of 95% of all
cancers.

NF-kB stimulates genes to produce inflammatory cytokines and other
signaling molecules that promote cancer growth and development.
Inhibition of NF-kB is a powerful target for cancer prevention and has
been shown to reduce cancer-stimulative events at every level of
carcinogenesis (cancer development). A broad array of natural dietary
interventions powerfully inhibits pathologic NF-kB activity, comprising
a critical strategy in the fight against cancer. Scores of new studies
detail the effects of NF-kB inhibition on cancer prevention. The low
rates of cancers in countries with high dietary intake of natural NF-kB
inhibitors points strongly to the value of such agents as functional
foods and as nutraceuticals.

In addition to the many natural products outlined here,
there's now strong evidence that vitamin D, Withania somnifera
(ashwagandha), and pomegranate extracts have similar NF-kB-blocking
capabilities. (102-104)

The good news for Life Extension members is that they have been
using potent NF-kB-inhibiting nutrients for many decades.

If you have any questions on the scientific content of this
article, please call a Life Extension[R] Health Advisor at
1-866-864-3027.

RELATED ARTICLE: CURRENT NF-KB RESEARCH

Here's what we know in 2011 about the relationship between
NF-kB and cancer, courtesy of Dr. Sahdeo Prasad of the Cytokine Research
Laboratory at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston: (5)

[ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

NF-kB becomes activated in response to a host of factors that
account for as much as 95% of all cancers. These triggers include
tobacco, stress, dietary components, obesity, alcohol, infections,
radiation, and environmental toxins. (1-3)

NF-kB activation has been linked with the transformation of normal
cells into cancer cells (thus NF-kB can be thought of as promoting
cancer development). (1), (95)

NF-kB is active at a higher rate in cancer cells than in healthy
cells. A developing cancer also increases the amount of active NF-kB.
(6), (13)

NF-kB has been linked to the survival of dangerous cancer stem
cells, the early "parent" cells of many cancers that are now
known to exist in otherwise normal tissues. Cancer stem cells can
"self-renew" more successfully than healthy cells.

NF-kB stimulates production of gene products that keep cancer cells
from dying naturally through the process of programmed cell death, or
apoptosis. (96)

NF-kB also increases production of gene products associated with
proliferation, the rapid and repeated cell divisions that give cancers
their aggressive growth characteristics. (97)

Prasad notes that these observations highlight just how intertwined
NF-kB is with cancer growth and metastasis. (5) Others have gone on to
point out that, though a powerful nemesis, NF-kB also offers myriad
opportunities to intervene powerfully and block cancers in their tracks.
(8), (13) As we continue to clarify the close relationship between
chronic inflammation and cancer, more and more such opportunities are
becoming evident. (93)